Gran Canaria 2014 secured sole possession of second place in Group C with a 92-72 victory over Siauliai on Tuesday. CJ Wallace posted 23 points and 9 rebounds and Xavi Rey had 17 and 8 to lead Granca as it improved to 2-1. The result also dropped Siauliai to 0-3. These two teams will meet again next week in Lithuania. Jaycee Carroll added 16 points and Michael Bramos 10 for the winners. Siauliai was unable to get in a rhythm all game and finally went down in the second half after a 26-11 run by the hosts. David Weaver led Siauliai with 15 points, Mindaugas Zukauskas had 13, Edvinas Ruzgas and Vytautas Sarakauskas added 12 each and guard Ricky Harris scored 11, but committed 7 turnovers.

Siauliai enjoyed a promising start with consecutive baskets by Sarakauskas, but the hosts quickly got in the driver’s seat: Triples by Bramos and Taurean Green were followed by a Wallace layup and another bomb by Bramos to make it 13-8. With a comfortable lead, Gran Canaria worked on establishing a well-balanced attack with 5 first half triples and 13 shots in the paint. Siauliai head coach Antanas Sireika tried to shake things up with Julius Jucikas and Osvaldas Matulionis coming off the bench, but no spark was found in the visiting reserves, as Rey countered for the host’s second unit with 10 first-quarter points. Zukauskas hit a three to start the second and Sarakauskas scored his 8th point to give Siauliai some hope at 28-21. But Gran Canaria tightened the defense, holding the visitors to 14 points in the remainder of the quarter while executing well on offense and getting good penetration, especially from high energy reserve Sitapha Savane, who scored 8 points and corralled 6 boards in 20 minutes of action.

With Gran Canaria moving the ball sharply and creating turnovers on defense, Siauliai needed to refocus at the break and started working the low post more in the second half with a Weaver layup, but Harris followed with consecutive long range bombs to narrow the margin to 53-44, only to watch Wallace re establish the lead with a couple of threes of his own. With Weaver and Carroll adding to the offensive show, it was another triple by Wallace that definitely set the table for the hosts at 66-46. Reenergized by the home crowd and with their second consecutive regular season win well within reach, Gran Canaria stepped it up on defense and finished the quarter emphatically with a Javier Beiran three and Rey dunk for the 79-55 go ahead after a 26-11 run. The big four of Wallace, Rey, Bramos and Carroll did not pull the brakes to start the fourth and, even though Ruzgas joined the double-digit scoring club for the visiting side, Siauliai ultimately lacked the firepower to stay with an inspired Gran Canaria squad.